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Hayward Ultra/Navigator etc.

OK, here's the deal.
I bought a rebuild kit for my Ultra.
Rebuilt my ultra and about the only thing I could see different was the bottom didn't have a removable throat piece (it was all one piece). So i figure no big deal.
Ok, first problem, this rebuilt one would not sit on the bottom., it would touch and float over the bottom.
Turned return jets down, helped a very little bit.
So it must be more buoyant than the original.
Added some lead wheel weights (worked up to, about 12 segments not sure if these are 1/2 or 1 OZ segments) to the front and 4 to the rear. Now it at least is on the bottom and doesn't pull wheelies going downhill.
But it does not "move" like it used to. It will circle the deep end a few times, then seek out the stairs and get stuck there. The old one would at least work it's way out of the stairs.
And I know it is just me, but it seems to be drawn to the stairs like a magnet.

So my question is, would my original gear box be different than maybe this rebuild kit I bought have?
Any way to tell?
I mean the new bottom end, the turbine, gears box and main gear all fit just fine.
I just can't figure out why it went from a really good cleaner (before totally wearing out) to a crappy one with new parts?

Re: Hayward Ultra/Navigator etc.

My previous pool had a navigator that I repaired a few times. Never had a problem with the gearbox. Usually the bearings on either side of the tubine wheel would fail causing little or no movement across the pool. Along with the other wear items. Have not seen a 'gator with a one piece "throat" assembly. As for not staying on the bottom, I do not recall any buoyant parts in the cleaner. I am sure suction has some help keeping it on the bottom. As long as all the air has been purged from the housing, it should sink and sit on the bottom. There is a preferred suction reading that the Navigators run best at. New ones come with a gauge. May want to try installing the two piece bottom/throat from the old setup and double check the assembly. Depending how old the unit is, some just wear out and rebuilding just won't work. Been there too. Good luck!

16K gallon, Pebble tec, beach entry. Two 1 hp Pentair Whisperflos. One for Paramount MDX2 main drain, Paramount debris canister, and Pentair CCP 520 filter. One for skimmer w/sock and Paramount PCC2000 in floor cleaner. 3/4 hp Pentair Pinnacle for waterfall. Fiberstars fiber optic pool lighting. Aqua-Logic AQL-P-4 control panel with wired remote in the house. SWCG system that is not used. Ultra-Pure Ozonator that is not used.

Re: Hayward Ultra/Navigator etc.

Originally Posted by fofa

OK, here's the deal.
I bought a rebuild kit for my Ultra.
Rebuilt my ultra and about the only thing I could see different was the bottom didn't have a removable throat piece (it was all one piece). So i figure no big deal.
Ok, first problem, this rebuilt one would not sit on the bottom., it would touch and float over the bottom.
Turned return jets down, helped a very little bit.
So it must be more buoyant than the original.
Added some lead wheel weights (worked up to, about 12 segments not sure if these are 1/2 or 1 OZ segments) to the front and 4 to the rear. Now it at least is on the bottom and doesn't pull wheelies going downhill.
But it does not "move" like it used to. It will circle the deep end a few times, then seek out the stairs and get stuck there. The old one would at least work it's way out of the stairs.
And I know it is just me, but it seems to be drawn to the stairs like a magnet.

So my question is, would my original gear box be different than maybe this rebuild kit I bought have?
Any way to tell?
I mean the new bottom end, the turbine, gears box and main gear all fit just fine.
I just can't figure out why it went from a really good cleaner (before totally wearing out) to a crappy one with new parts?

Can anyone enlighten me?

Have you performed the hang test? When you hold the hose and suspend your vac in the water, it should turn to the right for a while, then stop for a few moments, then turn left, then stop, right, etc. if it is not doing this, then the gearbox isn't functioning correctly. I've had this happen twice. The first time I needed more suction (use the flow meter to correct) - my filter was getting dirty and the flow had slowed enough to make the ultra turn right, but never left - which made it seemingly obsessed with the stairs!.
The second time there was **** jammed inside the gearbox.

Re: Hayward Ultra/Navigator etc.

I have a similar problem right now. Navigator will turn right, but not left. Seems to be plenty of flow, and I've tried adjusting it with my variable speed pump. I'm about to take it a part to see if I can spot the problem.